Smyrna times., 1887-05-11
For The smyrna Times
The Peach Basket Once More.

Inc afllCle IN the last issue OF the
Ties relative to his remarks and state
ments in former issue, over the ini-
tials H. H." regarding the peach
basket question, attempts am explana-
ton of his views and position, which
does not explain. His remarks seem
to be hypothetical, and based on state
ments made very likely without author
ity at a public meeting and reported in
the TIMES. AS "H. H." seems to be
entirely fair, and admits the writer's
correct diagnosis of his personality. it
would seem to be of more interest to the
peach growers if the question of "hold.
ing on to or letting the basket go"
were discussed pro and con on facts.
rather than alphabetically. The esti-
mates made, based on simple reports,
the writer does not regard as reliable,
and if they were, should be regarded
by peach growers with suspicion. A
basket to cost cents, to hold peaches
for distant transportation, whether
made of paper or broad slips of wood,
are of very doubtful expedieney. As
to the reduction of carriage to three
cents a basket the writer desires to say
that he was one of a committee of peach
growers few years ago who attended
IA meeting of commission men and cart
ers in New York for that purpose, but
utterly failed in their effort, for the
reason the carriers are an association
unto themselves and hold control of
the situation. The charge of one cent
a basket by the p. w. & B. r. r. Co.
for return of empties is on the principle
nf IN
peach growers a few years ago were
clamOring for a reduction in freight.
and had a committee who frequently
visited President Hinckley urging a
reduction. He would reply that the
State Of Delaware had taxed their pas
senger traffic and earnings, which they
were compelled to pay, and as the
company must have the money from
somewhere it was easier to get it out
of the peach traffic than their passenger
and general traffic; that if the State
would reduce their taxes he would re-
duce the freight on peaches. The
peach growers believed what he said.
appointed committee of five to see
what could be done in the matter. aud
when the Legislature met they, together
with some members who represented
New Castle county at the time, got
together and examined into the States
financial condition. and, finding a large
surplus in the treasury, succeeding in
getting the members interested i'm n
reduction of their taxes to a lump sum
of $40, 900. When the committee sub.
seqlently called on President Hinck-
ley to remind him of his promise to re-
duce freight, his reply was certainly,
gentlemen, we will reduce the freight
one cent basket on peaches to New
York, but we will have to charge YOU
one cent on return of empty baskets"
And thus the matter has remained ever
since. The committee regarded his
conduct as being so disingenuOus that.
if my recollection be correct, they never
visited him again. But few growers.
perhaps, are aware of these facts or
may have forgotten them. The freight
charged is just the same, and is paid
the same, so it might be called one cent
or two cents for that matter for return
of each basket. The growers never got
the reduction in freight, while the
Railroad Company did get a reduction
of their taxes.
The writer, however, cannot agree
with III. H." and his assumptions
based on simple report. Under a re-
ductiOn of one cent carriage, three per
cent. of commission, and one cent on
return of each basket he still contends
it would be for the interest of the
growers to have their baskets returned.
as he will attempt to demonstrate. As
suming that a grower has 5000 baskets
of peaches TO send to market, If he
were to send them all to PHILADELPHIA
he would require but 1000 baskets for
the purpose If part were sent to New
York and part to Boston also, it would
require 5000 baskets, if returned In the
usual manner. The baskets at 8 cents
each say, cost the grower $50; where
as, to give the basket with the peaches
It would require as many baskets as he
bad fruit, which would cost, say 5000
baskets at cents each, $3.50. Il will
be seen here is a difference against the
grower of 800. Assuming, however,
that the same operation is repeated two
consecutive seasons, his baskets would
cost $500. Such baskets as are now
made by some makers, when properly
cared for by the growers, will last for
three years, and in the writer's expe-
rience he has had them IN use for five
years. 9 II. H." may be able by his
calculations TO see why It is to the adj
vantage Of the growers TO buy we'll
made and strong baskets aud insist on
their return, instead Of llimsy ones and
let them go with che fruit. The writer